Asexual reproduction

Asexual reproduction is a mode of reproduction by which offspring arise from a single parent, and inherit the genes of that parent only, it is reproduction which does not involve meiosis, ploidy reduction, or fertilization. A more stringent definition is agamogenesis which is reproduction without the fusion of gametes. Asexual reproduction is the primary form of reproduction for single-celled organisms such as the archaea, bacteria, and protists. Many plants and fungi reproduce asexually as well. While all prokaryotes reproduce asexually (without the formation and fusion of gametes), mechanisms for lateral gene transfer such as conjugation, transformation and transduction are sometimes likened to sexual reproduction.[1] A complete lack of sexual reproduction is relatively rare among multicellular organisms, particularly animals. It is not entirely understood why the ability to reproduce sexually is so common among them. Current hypotheses [2] suggest that asexual reproduction may have short term benefits when rapid population growth is important or in stable environments, while sexual reproduction offers a net advantage by allowing more rapid generation of genetic diversity, allowing adaptation to changing environments. Developmental constraints [3] may underlie why few animals have relinquished sexual reproduction completely in their life cycles

REPRODUCTION IN HYDERA
When food is plentiful, many hydras reproduce asexually by producing buds in the body wall, which grow to be miniature adults and simply break away when they are mature. When conditions are harsh, often before winter or in poor feeding conditions, sexual reproduction occurs in some hydras. Swellings in the body wall develop into either a simple ovary or testes. The testes release free-swimming gametes into the water, and these can fertilize the egg in the ovary of another individual. The fertilized eggs secrete a tough outer coating, and, as the adult dies, these resting eggs fall to the bottom of the lake or pond to await better conditions, whereupon they hatch into nymph hydras. Hydras are hermaphrodites and may produce both testes and an ovary at the same time. Many members of the Hydrozoa go through a body change from a polyp to an adult form called a medusa. However, all hydras, despite being hydrozoans, remain as polyps throughout their lives.

REPRODUCTION IN AMOEBA
REPRODUCTION

Asexual. Rejuvination present. Asexual reproduction is of following types -

1. REGENERATION First of all explained by Trembley. According to Bruno and Hoggar it takes place in laboratory or accidentally. Each piece of amoeba can form new amoeba if a piece of nucleus. present. 2. BINNARY FISSION

Process takes place in favourable condition. From one parent 2 daughter amoebae are formed. Parent amoeba is lost. According to weismann complete protoplasm is shifted from one generation to another. Both daughter amoeba are equal in all respect. Plane of division is transverse. Process is completed in Hr. Volume and weight of daughter amoeba is half of parent amoeba. Area of daughter amoeba is more than of parent amoeba. Point of division forms uroid. In 48 hrs. daughter amoeba becomes double i.e. equal to parent amoeba & can repeat the process. In process mitotic or promitosis takes place, spindle is formed but nucler membrane is not degenrated so mitosis is known as crypto mitosis. In prophase honey comb lattice is disappeared, c.v. is disappeared & tranparency is lost. In metaphase multipolar spindle is formed at anaphase convert into bipolar spindle. At telophase lattice is reformed. C.V. becomes active, 2 nuclei are formed. Amoeba reproduce by this method fastly. 3. MULTIPLE FISSION Process takes place in unfavourable condition. Pseudopodia are withdrawn. Shape becomes round. Cyst is formed which is three layered made up of chitine. At this stage ecto and endoplasm are not differentiated. Cyst is permeable for gases. Main aim of encystment is perennation. By amitotic division 500 600 amoebulae are formed. Also known as swarm spores or pseudopodiospores.

In favourable condition excystment or hatching takes place so amoebulae come out in water.

4. SPORULATION Process takes place in unfavourable condition by inactive amoeba (yellow). Shape becomes round but no encystement. Nuclear membrane is lost. Chromatin pieces (200300) come out. i.e. polyenergid nucleus. Soon chromatin pieces convert in to spores, dispersal takes place by wind / water. Stored excretory materials are discharged at this time. Spore germinates in favourable condition & amoebe are formed.